ÿWPCŸ ¼ç”×5“„jT~$Žr™¤R›APHBØ;…jE~q-ß{׿eˆ£4‡B~Ö¿(%—ׄñAÍÀ,É ùÓ{žw0Žªç§@t·ø^ű"—“'óö{RøF}”‹ŠmuÜ+xªàs„R‡Ôâmõj:°ºæõY^ŒÚ¤{¬K)‘DUà+oµ#k8•3t5ÈÕåÏ knp%N$Vd K¾Ç•–~•¿' ½•RÄI†Ö‘'a.©ôfÊúºÑ%Í0˜?º•©J`˜@„^ã„ï–¬§Iõ®Œ°¾¿Sä=K">ƒ£øóùgE8î+ ½sÕTP(,à2c:™ïko𰦳A…sÂ>¨Ñ\ î·ÉTÕï@a\3CÓšî–-^c ‘Iý&ª»¼‘÷¦"zØõ§Šâg #ɶUN %Í 0:Ó^ w@4Ym| m~•N˜\\YORK_UNIVERSITY\q_hrts_hp4000tnÒV,,,,ÒV0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,ÔL»00— z[{U|E}U~U[€EU‚Uƒ[½”u/ê:i¢Ø+003|xƒÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_Ôò òÔ‡¼h°»XXÔÓ  ÓSRI€LANKA€Ô#†X#ŽX»¼h°P#Ôó óÐ ° ÐÓoÓÓ  ÓÌÌò òCRC€€A/51/41€(1996)ó óÐ “ã ÐÓÐÓÓ  ÓÌÌÔUSUK.,Ô616.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Sri€Lanka€(CRC/C/8/Add.13)€at€its€228òòthóó€toÐ O Ÿ Ð230òòthóó€€meetings€(CRC/C/SR.228-230),€on€5€and€6€June€1995€and€adopted,€at€its€233òòrdóó€€meeting,€onÐ 8 ˆ Ð9€June€1995,€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð ! q ÐÌ(a)€€òòIntroductionóóÐ ó C  ÐÌ617.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€submission€of€the€initial€report€of€Sri€Lanka€and€theÐ Å  Ðwritten€answers€to€its€list€of€issues.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€frank€and€cooperative€toneÐ ®þ  Ðof€the€dialogue,€in€which€the€delegation€of€the€State€party€indicated€not€only€the€progress€achievedÐ —ç  Ðwith€regard€to€the€implementation€of€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child,Ð €Ð  Ðbut€also€the€difficulties€encountered€during€implementation.€€The€Committee€takes€note€of€theÐ i¹ Ðstatement€made€by€the€delegation€that€it€was€unfortunately€not€possible€for€a€larger€delegation€to€beÐ R¢ Ðpresent€during€the€dialogue,€as€had€initially€been€the€intention€of€the€Government.Ð ;‹ ÐÌ(b)€€òòPositive€factorsóóÐ  ] ÐÌ618.€€The€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€the€establishment€in€1993€of€a€National€CommitteeÐ ß/ Ðfor€the€Monitoring€of€the€Rights€of€the€Child€under€the€Ministry€of€Health,€Highways€and€SocialÐ È ÐService.€€It€also€welcomes€the€launching€in€1991€of€the€action€plan€for€children€in€Sri€Lanka€to€beÐ ± Ðimplemented€during€the€period€1992-1996.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€to€note€the€existence€ofÐ šê Ða€dialogue€between€the€State€party€and€non-governmental€organizations,€particularly€theÐ ƒÓ ÐNon-Governmental€Organization€Forum.Ð l¼ ÐÌ619.€€With€respect€to€legislative€reform,€the€Committee€welcomes€the€State€party's€consideration€ofÐ >Ž Ðthe€possibility€of€amending€laws€relating€to€child€abuse,€child€labour€and€juvenile€justice,€to€ensureÐ ' w Ðtheir€compatibility€with€the€provisions€of€the€Convention.Ð !` ÐÌ620.€€The€Committee€also€notes€the€willingness€of€the€delegation€of€Sri€Lanka€to€seek€advice€andÐ â"2! Ðtechnical€assistance€from€the€United€Nations€bodies€and€specialized€agencies€and€from€national€andÐ Ë#" Ðinternational€non-governmental€institutions€in€the€fields€of€child€abuse,€child€labour€and€juvenileÐ ´$ # Ðjustice.Ð %í $ ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóÐ o'¿"& ÐÌ621.€€The€Committee€takes€note€of€the€difficult€economic€and€social€situation€of€Sri€Lanka,Ð A)‘$( Ðparticularly€due€to€the€adverse€effects€of€structural€adjustment€measures€and€the€ongoing€civil€armedÐ **z%) Ðconflict€in€the€North€and€East€regions€of€the€country€which€drains€national€resources.€€Eight€of€theÐ +c&* Ð25€provinces€of€the€country€are€affected€by€the€conflict€which€during€the€last€12€years€has€taken€theÐ ü+L'+ Ðlives€of€30,000€people€and€currently€has€an€impact€on€over€half€a€million€children.€Ð å,5(, Ð(d)€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ Î-)- Ї622.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€has€not€taken€due€consideration€ofÐ ° Ðthe€provisions€of€article€4€of€the€Convention.€€It€regrets€that€only€a€small€part€of€the€national€budgetÐ ™é Ðis€dedicated€to€the€protection€of€the€child€and€notes€the€high€proportion€of€military€expenditures.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ623.€€The€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€neither€the€Convention€nor€the€Charter€on€Children'sÐ T¤ ÐRights€is€of€binding€nature€within€the€national€legal€system.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€by€the€factÐ =  Ðthat€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention,€including,€in€particular,€article€2€(principle€ofÐ & v Ðnon-discrimination),€article€3€(principle€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child)€and€article€12€(respect€forÐ  _ Ðthe€views€of€the€child)€are€not€reflected€in€the€national€legislation.Ð ø H ÐÌ624.€€The€lack€of€efficient€and€integrated€mechanisms€to€monitor€the€situation€of€children€is€a€matterÐ Ê   Ðof€concern,€particularly€since€the€constitutional€change€gave€increasing€political€power€to€theÐ ³  Ðprovinces.€€The€Committee€notes€in€this€regard€a€lack€of€reliable€quantitative€and€qualitative€data,Ð œì  Ða€shortage€of€means€to€implement€Ô_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô,€and€a€lack€of€indicators€and€mechanisms€to€evaluateÐ …Õ  Ðthe€progress€and€impact€of€policies€adopted.Ð n¾  ÐÌ625.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€by€the€absence€of€coordination€within€the€governmentalÐ @ Ðdepartments€and€ministries,€as€well€as€between€central€and€regional€authorities.€€This€affectsÐ )y Ðnegatively€the€implementation€of€global€policies€to€promote€and€protect€the€rights€of€the€child.€Ð b ÐÌ626.€€The€Committee€is€worried€about€the€existence€of€disparities€concerning€the€three€different€lawsÐ ä4 Ð(Sri€Lankan,€Ô_ÔKandyanÔ_Ô€and€Muslim)€regulating€the€minimum€age€for€marriage.€€These€Ô_ÔlegislationsÔ_ÔÐ Í Ðestablish€different€minimum€ages€for€marriage€between€boys€and€girls€and€authorize€the€marriagesÐ ¶ Ðof€girls€as€young€as€12€years€of€age€who€have€obtained€parental€consent€from€the€parents.€€SuchÐ Ÿï Ðsituations€may€raise€the€question€of€compatibility€with€the€principles€of€non-discrimination€and€theÐ ˆØ Ðbest€interests€of€the€child€(arts.€2€and€3).Ð qÁ ÐÌ627.€€The€Committee€remains€concerned€about€the€apparent€persistence€of€discriminatory€attitudesÐ C“ Ðdirected€towards€girls,€children€born€out€of€wedlock,€children€from€poorer€income€groups,€ruralÐ ,| Ðchildren,€child€refugees€or€displaced€children,€working€children,€children€affected€by€armed€conflictsÐ e Ðand€children€of€overseas€workers.€Ð þN ÐÌ628.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€regarding€the€implementation€of€article€12€of€theÐ Ð!   ÐConvention.€€The€views€of€the€child€are€not€sufficiently€taken€into€account,€especially€within€theÐ ¹" ! Ðfamily,€the€school€and€the€juvenile€justice€system.€Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ629.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€continuing€difficulties€encountered€in€ensuring€birthÐ t%Ä $ Ðregistration,€particularly€of€children€born€out€of€wedlock.€€The€registration€is€necessary€for€allÐ ]&­!% Ðchildren€so€that€they€can€fully€enjoy€their€fundamental€rights€and€freedoms.Ð F'–"& ÐÌ630.€€With€respect€to€child€abuse,€including€sexual€abuse,€the€Committee€is€seriously€alarmed€by€theÐ )h$( Ðprevalence€of€this€type€of€abuse.€€The€Committee€is€worried€about€the€fact€that€no€specificÐ *Q%) Ðrehabilitation€measures€exist€for€abused€children€and€that€they€are€treated€like€delinquents.€€CorporalÐ ê*:&* Ðpunishment€also€persists€in€Sri€Lankan€society€and€is€accepted€in€schools.Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ631.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€situation€of€children€whose€mothers€are€workingÐ ¥-õ(- Ðabroad,€especially€in€Gulf€countries,€leaving€their€children€behind.€€Those€children€(between€200,000Ð ° Ðand€300,000)€often€live€in€difficult€circumstances€and€may€be€subjected€to€different€types€of€abuseÐ ™é Ðor€exploitation.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ632.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€Sri€Lankan€authorities€have€enacted€new€legislation€onÐ T¤ Ðinternational€adoption,€which€ensures€safeguards€against€the€sale€and€trafficking€of€children.€€TheÐ =  ÐCommittee€remains€worried€about€the€fact€that€the€same€measures€have€not€been€taken€to€regulateÐ & v Ðnational€adoptions.Ð  _ ÐÌ633.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€deep€concern€about€the€high€level€of€malnutrition€amongÐ á 1  Ðchildren.€It€is€estimated€that€23€per€cent€of€infants€are€born€with€low€birth€weight.€Ð Ê   ÐÌ634.€€The€Committee€is€also€deeply€concerned€about€the€surprisingly€high€rate€of€suicide€amongÐ œì  Ðyoungsters.Ð …Õ  ÐÌ635.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€inadequate€measures€taken€to€improve€the€access€ofÐ W§  Ðdisplaced€and€refugee€children€to€education€and€health€services.Ð @ ÐÌ636.€€The€Committee€is€worried€about€the€high€rates€of€school€drop€out,€the€discrepancies€inÐ b Ðeducation€facilities,€especially€in€rural€areas,€and€the€insufficiency€of€preschool€establishmentsÐ ûK Ðwhich€are€usually€managed€by€non-governmental€institutions€and€are€not€under€State€responsibility.Ð ä4 ÐÌ637.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€implementation€of€the€provisions€and€principlesÐ ¶ Ðof€the€Convention€in€relation€to€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice.€€It€is€deeply€concerned€by€theÐ Ÿï Ðlow€age€of€criminal€responsibility€(8€years€old)€and€the€status€of€children€between€16€and€18€yearsÐ ˆØ Ðold€who€are€considered€by€penal€law€as€adults.€€Those€children€are€examined€by€adult€courts.Ð qÁ ÐÌ638.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€grave€concern€about€the€substantial€number€of€children€workingÐ C“ Ðas€domestic€servants€and€who€are€often€subjected€to€sexual€abuse.€€It€is€also€deeply€worried€aboutÐ ,| Ðthe€increasing€number€of€children€exploited€sexually,€especially€young€boys€forced€into€prostitution,Ð e Ðboth€locally€and€in€international€sex€tourism.Ð þN ÐÌ639.€€The€Committee€is€seriously€prÔ_ÔeoccupiedÔ_Ô€by€the€large€number€of€children€affected€by€the€armedÐ Ð!   Ðconflict€and€especially€those€who€have€been€displaced€and€those€who€have€become€orphans€as€aÐ ¹" ! Ðresult€of€the€war.€€The€Committee€is€also€worried€about€the€hazardous€provision€of€health€servicesÐ ¢#ò" Ðin€areas€affected€by€the€armed€conflict.€€The€Committee€notes€with€regret€that€the€initial€report€ofÐ ‹$Û# ÐSri€Lanka€did€not€give€comprehensive€information€on€the€effect€of€armed€conflict€on€children,€theirÐ t%Ä $ Ðinvolvement€in€the€armed€forces€and€the€way€the€authorities€handle€child€soldiers€prisoners€of€war.€Ð ]&­!% Ðà  àà ` àÌ(e)€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ /(#' ÐÌ640.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€harmonize€its€national€legislation€with€theÐ *Q%) Ðprovisions€and€principles€of€the€Convention.€€Principles€relating€to€the€best€interests€of€the€child€andÐ ê*:&* Ðthe€prohibition€of€discrimination€in€relation€to€children€should€be€reflected€in€domestic€law,€and€itÐ Ó+#'+ Ðshould€be€possible€to€invoke€them€before€the€courts.€Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð641.€€The€Committee€is€aware€that€the€State€party€is€in€the€process€of€reviewing€its€legislationÐ ° Ðrelating€to€child€abuse,€child€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€and€juvenile€justice€and,€in€that€regard,€draws€the€attention€ofÐ ™é Ðthe€State€party€to€the€activities€developed€by€the€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€of€advisory€services€and€technicalÐ ‚Ò Ðassistance€of€the€Ô_ÔCentreÔ_Ô€for€Human€Rights.€Ð k» ÐÌ642.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€adoption€of€a€national€Charter€on€Children's€Rights€butÐ =  Ðrecommends€that€it€be€given€the€status€of€law€and€its€provisions,€where€necessary,€raised€to€theÐ & v Ðstandards€of€the€Convention.Ð  _ ÐÌ643.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€consideration€should€be€given€to€raising€andÐ á 1  Ðstandardizing€the€age€for€contracting€marriage€in€all€communities,€to€raising€the€age€for€engagingÐ Ê   Ðin€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€and€for€penal€responsibility€and€to€eliminate€discrimination€towards€children€born€out€ofÐ ³  Ðwedlock.Ð œì  ÐÌ644.€€Measures€should€be€taken€to€strengthen€the€Children€Secretariat€and€the€National€CommitteeÐ n¾  Ðfor€the€Monitoring€of€the€Rights€of€the€Child.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€an€independentÐ W§  Ðmonitoring€mechanism€be€implemented.€€In€this€regard,€the€establishment€of€an€Ô_ÔombudspersonÔ_ÔÐ @ Ðwould€be€welcomed.€€Coordination€mechanisms€should€also€be€strengthened€between€all€authoritiesÐ )y Ðinvolved€in€human€rights€and€children's€rights,€especially€with€the€Ministry€of€Woman€Affairs,€atÐ b Ðboth€national€and€local€levels.€€The€Committee€suggests€that€measures€be€taken€to€improve€theÐ ûK Ðsystem€for€collecting€statistics,€accurate€indicators€and€other€data€about€the€status€of€children.€Ð ä4 ÐÌ645.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€to€pay€particular€attention€to€the€fullÐ ¶ Ðimplementation€of€article€4€of€the€Convention€and€to€ensure€a€judicious€distribution€of€the€resourcesÐ Ÿï Ðat€central,€regional€and€local€levels.€€Budget€allocations€for€the€implementation€of€economic,€socialÐ ˆØ Ðand€cultural€rights,€particularly€probation€and€care€services,€should€be€ensured€to€the€maximumÐ qÁ Ðextent€of€available€resources€and€in€the€light€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€Ð Zª ÐÌ646.€€With€respect€to€the€implementation€of€articles€12,€13€and€15€of€the€Convention,€the€CommitteeÐ ,| Ðrecommends€that€consideration€be€given€by€the€State€party€to€facilitate€children's€participation€andÐ e Ðthe€respect€of€their€views€in€decisions€affecting€them,€especially€in€the€family,€at€school€and€inÐ þN Ðcourts.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ647.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€measures€to€combat€violence€and€abuseÐ ¹" ! Ðof€children,€including€sexual€abuse€and€corporal€punishment.€€During€the€process€of€reviewing€itsÐ ¢#ò" Ðlaw€on€child€abuse,€the€State€party€should€carefully€take€into€account€all€the€provisions€guaranteedÐ ‹$Û# Ðby€article€19€of€the€Convention.€€It€further€suggests€that€professional€groups,€including€teachers,€lawÐ t%Ä $ Ðenforcement€personnel,€social€workers€and€the€military,€be€trained€with€respect€to€the€provisions€onÐ ]&­!% Ðthe€Convention.€€International€technical€assistance€could€be€requested€by€the€authorities€in€relationÐ F'–"& Ðto€this€matter.Ð /(#' ÐÌ648.€€To€avoid€the€abandonment€of€children€by€mothers€working€abroad,€the€Committee€suggest€thatÐ *Q%) Ðthe€State€party€engage€in€dialogue€with€receiving€countries€to€ensure€an€international€agreement€thatÐ ê*:&* Ðpermits€migrant€workers€to€take€their€children€abroad.€€Ratification€of€the€International€ConventionÐ Ó+#'+ Ðon€the€Rights€of€All€Migrant€Workers€and€Members€of€Their€Families€should€be€considered.Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð649.€€To€combat€Ô_ÔinstitutionalizationÔ_Ô€and€abandonment€of€children€born€out€of€wedlock,€theÐ ° ÐCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party€establishes€an€adequate€alternative€family€care€systemÐ ™é Ðthat€responds€to€the€national€culture€and€customs.€€The€Committee€also€encourages€the€authoritiesÐ ‚Ò Ðto€give€full€support€to€mothers€of€children€born€out€of€wedlock€wishing€to€keep€their€child.Ð k» ÐÌ650.€€With€regard€to€national€adoption,€the€Committee€stresses€the€need€to€raise€the€standards€toÐ =  Ðthose€existing€for€international€adoption.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€fact€that€Sri€Lanka€was€oneÐ & v Ðof€the€first€States€to€ratify€the€Hague€Convention€on€Protection€of€Children€and€Cooperation€inÐ  _ Ðrespect€of€Ô_ÔIntercountryÔ_Ô€Adoption€of€1993.Ð ø H ÐÌ651.€€The€Committee€suggests€that€rehabilitation€measures€be€taken€for€abused€children€and€that€theÐ Ê   ÐGovernment€prohibits€the€publication€by€the€media€of€the€names€of€the€victims.Ð ³  ÐÌ652.€€To€improve€the€understanding€and€the€prevention€of€suicide,€the€Committee€encourages€theÐ …Õ  Ðauthorities€to€launch€a€study€and€a€survey€concerning€this€phenomenon.Ð n¾  ÐÌ653.€€In€view€of€the€general€problem€of€displaced€and€refugee€children,€the€Committee€recommendsÐ @ Ðthat€all€appropriate€measures€be€taken€to€ensure€that€those€vulnerable€groups€have€access€to€basicÐ )y Ðservices,€particularly€in€the€fields€of€education,€health€and€social€rehabilitation.Ð b ÐÌ654.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Ministry€of€Education€should€take€under€its€responsibilityÐ ä4 Ðthe€establishment€and€management€of€preschool€facilities.Ð Í ÐÌ655.€€With€regard€to€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice,€it€is€suggested€that€necessary€measuresÐ Ÿï Ðbe€taken€by€the€State€party€to€implement€fully€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention.€€TheÐ ˆØ ÐCommittee€recommends€that€the€law€reform€to€be€undertaken€in€this€field€adequately€reflect€theÐ qÁ Ðprovisions€of€the€Convention€as€well€as€other€relevant€international€standards,€such€as€the€BeijingÐ Zª ÐRules,€the€Riyadh€Guidelines€and€the€United€Nations€Rules€for€the€Protection€of€Juveniles€DeprivedÐ C“ Ðof€their€Liberty.€€It€is€suggested€that€due€attention€be€paid€to€the€best€interest€of€the€child€and€to€hisÐ ,| Ðor€her€right€to€be€heard€and€that€deprivation€of€liberty€be€considered€as€a€measure€of€last€resort€andÐ e Ðfor€the€minimum€period€possible.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€criminal€ageÐ þN Ðshould€be€raised€and€that€persons€aged€between€16€and€18€be€considered€as€children.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ656.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€law€reform€on€child€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€raises€the€minimum€age€ofÐ ¹" ! Ðaccess€to€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€to€15€years€old€and€the€compulsory€education€age€to€the€same€limit.€€The€CommitteeÐ ¢#ò" Ðsuggests€that€a€monitoring€and€inspection€mechanism€be€established€to€facilitate€an€effectiveÐ ‹$Û# Ðimplementation€of€the€new€law.€€The€State€party€should€give€due€attention€to€domestic€child€workersÐ t%Ä $ Ðand€encourage,€through€the€promotion€and€implementation€of€the€Convention,€a€change€of€mentalityÐ ]&­!% Ðand€attitudes.€€The€Committee€would€like€to€suggest€that€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€considerÐ F'–"& Ðrequesting€technical€assistance€from€ILO€in€the€perspective€of€the€legislative€reform€and€suggestsÐ /(#' Ðthat€the€State€party€envisage€ratifying€ILO€Convention€No.€138.€Ð )h$( ÐÌ657.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€deep€concern€about€the€development€of€sexual€exploitation€ofÐ ê*:&* Ðchildren,€especially€of€boys,€through€sex€tourism.€€The€Committee€suggests€that€the€authoritiesÐ Ó+#'+ Ðengage€a€prevention€campaign€on€the€HIV€virus€and€strengthen€its€procedures€to€supervise€touristÐ ¼, (, Ðareas€where€the€problem€prevails.Ð ¥-õ(- Ї658.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€in€the€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€the€Convention,€theÐ ° Ðreport€submitted€by€the€Government€be€made€widely€available€to€the€public€at€large€and€that€theÐ ™é Ðpublication€of€the€report€be€considered,€along€with€the€relevant€summary€records€and€the€concludingÐ ‚Ò Ðobservations€adopted€thereon€by€the€Committee.Ð k» ÐÌ659.€€With€regard€to€the€traumatic€impact€on€children€of€the€civil€armed€conflict€in€Sri€Lanka,€theÐ =  ÐCommittee€recommends€that,€in€the€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€4,€of€the€Convention,€additionalÐ & v Ðinformation€be€submitted€to€the€Committee€within€two€years€about€the€effects€of€the€armed€conflictÐ  _ Ðon€children,€their€participation€in€combat€and€the€way€authorities€handle€child€soldiers€prisoners€ofÐ ø H Ðwar.Ð á 1  ÐÌÔ_ÔÐ  ³  ÐÔUK.,US.,*ÔÓÓÓ  ÓÌò òÓ  ÓCRC€€CRC/C/132€(2003)ó óÐ ™é ÐÌ228.à  àThe€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€Sri€Lanka€(CRC/C/70/Add.17)€atÐ l¼ Ðits€871st€and€872nd€meetings€(see€CRC/C/SR.871€and€872),€held€on€23€May€2003,€and€adopted,€atÐ U¥ Ðthe€889th€meeting,€(see€CRC/C/SR.889),€held€on€6€June€2003,€the€following€concludingÐ > Ž Ðobservations.Ð ' w ÐÌA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ ù I ÐÌ229.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€State€partyððs€second€periodic€report,€as€wellÐ Ë   Ðas€the€detailed€written€replies€to€its€list€of€issues€(CRC/C/Q/SRI/2),€which€gave€a€clearerÐ ´  Ðunderstanding€of€the€situation€of€children€in€the€State€party.€€It€further€notes€with€appreciation€theÐ í  Ðhigh„level€delegation€sent€by€the€State€party€and€welcomes€the€frank€dialogue€and€the€positiveÐ †Ö  Ðreactions€to€the€suggestions€and€recommendations€made€during€the€discussion.Ð o¿  ÐÌB.€€òòFollow„up€measures€undertaken€and€progress€achieved€by€the€State€partyóóÐ A‘ ÐÌ230.à  àThe€Committee€is€greatly€encouraged€by€the€ongoing€peace€process€and€the€inclusion€ofÐ c Ðhuman€rights€issues,€including€the€human€rights€of€children,€in€the€peace€talks.Ð üL ÐÌ231.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€information€provided€by€the€delegation€during€the€dialogueÐ Î Ðthat€the€state€of€emergency€has€been€lifted€and€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€has€been€suspended.Ð · ÐÌ232.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€ratification€of€the€Optional€Protocol€to€theÐ ‰Ù ÐConvention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€involvement€of€children€in€armed€conflict€Ð r Ðon€8€September€2000.à  àà h àÐ [« ÐÌ233.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€various€legislative€measures€aimed€at€improving€the€protectionÐ -} Ðof€children€from€domestic€violence,€child€labour€and€commercial€sexual€exploitation.Ð f ÐÌ234.à  àThe€Committee€also€welcomes€the€various€mechanisms€and€programmes€aimed€at€protectingÐ è 8 Ðand€promoting€the€rights€of€children€such€as:Ð Ñ!!  ÐÌ(a)à  àThe€establishment€of€the€National€Human€Rights€Commission€in€1997;€Ð £#ó" ÐÌ(b)à  àThe€establishment€of€the€National€Child€Protection€Authority€in€1999€and€provincial„levelÐ u%Å $ Ðcommittees€to€address€problems€of€child€abuse€and€sexual€exploitation;Ð ^&®!% ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àThe€dissemination€of€materials,€including€audio„visual€materials,€publications€and€posters,Ð 0(€#' Ðto€raise€awareness€of€the€Convention€and€child€rights.Ð )i$( ÐÌC.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóÐ ë*;&* ÐÌ235.à  àThe€Committee€recognizes€that€the€armed€conflict€and€the€challenges€of€reconstruction,Ð ½, (, Ðparticularly€in€the€north€and€east,€pose€difficulties€to€the€full€implementation€of€the€Convention€inÐ ¦-ö(- Ðthe€State€party.Ð ° ÐÌD.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóÐ ‚Ò ÐÌ1.€€òòGeneral€measures€of€implementationóóÐ T¤ ÐÌòòThe€Committeeððs€previous€recommendationsóóÐ & v ÐÌ236.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€that€various€concerns€expressed€and€recommendationsÐ ø H Ð(CRC/C/15/Add.40)€made€upon€the€consideration€of€the€State€partyððs€initial€report€have€beenÐ á 1  Ðaddressed€through€legislative€measures€and€policies.€€However,€recommendations€regarding,€interÐ Ê   Ðalia,€harmonization€of€legislation€(para.25),€coordination€of€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionÐ ³  Ð(para.€29),€child€participation€(para.31)€and€juvenile€justice€(para.€40)€have€not€been€given€sufficientÐ œì  Ðfollow„up.€€The€Committee€notes€that€those€concerns€and€recommendations€are€reiterated€in€theÐ …Õ  Ðpresent€document.Ð n¾  ÐÌ237.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€every€effort€to€address€the€recommendationsÐ @ Ðcontained€in€the€concluding€observations€on€the€initial€report€that€have€not€yet€been€implementedÐ )y Ðand€to€address€the€list€of€concerns€contained€in€the€present€concluding€observations€on€the€secondÐ b Ðperiodic€report.Ð ûK ÐÌòòLegislationóóÐ Í ÐÌ238.à  àThe€Committee,€acknowledging€the€various€legislative€measures€taken€to€implement€theÐ Ÿï ÐConvention,€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€a€comprehensive€and€systematic€review€of€existing€laws,Ð ˆØ Ðincluding€the€different€sets€of€personal€laws,€with€the€aim€of€bringing€them€into€conformity€with€theÐ qÁ ÐConvention.Ð Zª ÐÌ239.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€a€systematic€review€of€all€existingÐ ,| Ðlaws€in€order€to€bring€them€into€conformity€with€the€Convention€and€to€consult€with€the€differentÐ e Ðethnic€communities€regarding€the€inclusion€of€their€personal€laws€in€this€process€of€reform.Ð þN ÐÌòòCoordinationóóÐ Ð!   ÐÌ240.à  àAlthough€encouraged€by€the€establishment€of€mechanisms€such€as€the€National€MonitoringÐ ¢#ò" ÐCommittee€(Ô_ÔNMCÔ_Ô)€and€the€National€Child€Protection€Authority€(Ô_ÔNCPAÔ_Ô)€and€their€respectiveÐ ‹$Û# Ðmonitoring€and€child€protection€committees€at€the€provincial€and€district€levels,€the€Committee€isÐ t%Ä $ Ðconcerned€that€these€bodies€and€others€like€the€Department€for€Probation€and€Child€Care€ServicesÐ ]&­!% Ðdo€not€provide€effective€coordination€of€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.€€It€is€furtherÐ F'–"& Ðconcerned€that€the€roles€of€these€bodies€are€not€clearly€defined,€which€may€contribute€to€duplicationÐ /(#' Ðof€efforts€and€a€lack€of€effective€cooperation.Ð )h$( ÐÌ241.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ(a)à  àEstablish€one€effective€and€identifiable€governmental€body€for€the€coordination€of€allÐ ¼, (, Ðactivities€regarding€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€and€which€has€adequate€power€andÐ ¥-õ(- Ðsufficient€human€and€financial€resources€to€carry€out€its€coordinating€role€effectively;Ð ° ÐÌ(b)à  àClearly€define€the€role€of€Ô_ÔNMCÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔNCPAÔ_Ô€and€the€various€committees€at€the€provincial€andÐ ‚Ò Ðdistrict€levels€in€order€to€avoid€duplication€of€their€efforts€and€to€facilitate€cooperation€betweenÐ k» Ðthem,€and€provide€these€bodies€with€the€necessary€human€and€financial€resources.€IndependentÐ T¤ ÐmonitoringÐ =  ÐÌ242.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€National€Human€Rights€Commission€inÐ  _ Ð1997,€which€also€accepts€and€investigates€complaints€regarding€the€violation€of€childrenððs€rights.€Ð ø H ÐHowever,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€Commission€has€insufficient€human€and€materialÐ á 1  Ðresources€to€deal€effectively€with€its€volume€of€work.Ð Ê   ÐÌ243.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party,€in€accordance€with€the€CommitteeððsÐ œì  Ðgeneral€comment€No.€2€on€national€human€rights€institutions:Ð …Õ  ÐÌ(a)à  àEnsure€that€the€National€Human€Rights€Commission€is€provided€with€sufficient€resourcesÐ W§  Ðto€carry€out€its€responsibilities€effectively;Ð @ ÐÌ(b)à  àConsider€establishing€a€bureau€for€childrenððs€rights€within€the€Commission€in€order€toÐ b Ðcentralize€its€work€on€childrenððs€rights;Ð ûK ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àEnsure€its€accessibility€to€children,€in€particular€by€raising€awareness€of€its€power€to€receive,Ð Í Ðinvestigate€and€address€complaints€by€children,€in€particular€those€affected€by€conflict.Ð ¶ ÐÌòòResources€for€childrenóóÐ ˆØ ÐÌ244.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€great€concern€that€the€expenditure€on€education€and€health€as€aÐ Zª Ðpercentage€of€the€countryððs€GDP€decreased€between€1998€and€2001.€€The€Committee€is€furtherÐ C“ Ðconcerned€at€the€lack€of€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€data€on€budgetary€allocations€for€the€implementation€ofÐ ,| Ðchildrenððs€rights€at€the€national€and€district€levels.Ð e ÐÌ245.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð ç 7 ÐÌ(a)à  àPay€particular€attention€to€the€full€implementation€of€article€4€of€the€Convention€byÐ ¹" ! Ðprioritizing€budgetary€allocations€to€ensure€implementation€of€the€economic,€social€and€culturalÐ ¢#ò" Ðrights€of€children,€in€particular€those€in€conflict„affected€areas,€ð ðto€the€maximum€extent€of€ð8ðÐ ‹$Û# Ðavailable€resources€and,€where€needed,€within€the€framework€of€international€cooperationðð;Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌ(b)à  àPrioritize€the€provision€of€services€to€children€in€loan€and€structural€adjustment€negotiationsÐ F'–"& Ðwith€international€donors;Ð /(#' ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àCollect,€and€include€in€the€regular€budget,€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€data€on€the€expenditures€forÐ *Q%) Ðchildren€according€to€the€various€areas€of€the€Convention,€such€as€foster€care,€institutional€care,Ð ê*:&* Ðprimary€and€adolescent€health€care,€pre„school,€primary€and€secondary€education€and€juvenileÐ Ó+#'+ Ðjustice.€Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- ÐòòData€collectionóóÐ ° ÐÌ246.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€comprehensive€and€up„to„date€statistical€data€in€the€StateÐ ‚Ò Ðpartyððs€report.Ð k» ÐÌ247.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€upgrade€its€system€of€dataÐ =  Ðcollection€to€cover€all€areas€of€the€Convention€and€ensure€that€all€data€and€indicators€are€used€forÐ & v Ðthe€formulation,€monitoring€and€evaluation€of€policies,€programmes€and€projects€for€the€effectiveÐ  _ Ðimplementation€of€the€Convention.€€The€State€party€should€consider€seeking€technical€assistanceÐ ø H Ðfrom,€among€others,€UNICEF€and€Ô_ÔUNFPAÔ_Ô.Ð á 1  ÐÌ2.€€òòDefinition€of€the€childóóÐ ³  ÐÌ248.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€plan€for€constitutional€reform,€in€which€the€child€is€defined€as€aÐ …Õ  Ðperson€below€the€age€of€18€and€that€Ô_ÔNCPAÔ_Ô€and€others€are€applying€this€definition.€€Yet,€it€isÐ n¾  Ðconcerned€that€there€are€various€legal€minimum€ages€which€seem€to€be€discriminatory€or€are€tooÐ W§  Ðlow.€Ð @ ÐÌ249.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€enact,€as€soon€as€possible,€a€clear€legalÐ b Ðdefinition€of€the€child€applicable€throughout€the€country€and€review€existing€age€limits€in€variousÐ ûK Ðareas,€including€marriage,€child€labour€and€the€Penal€Code€provisions€on€child€sexual€abuse,€in€orderÐ ä4 Ðto€bring€them€into€compliance€with€international€standards.Ð Í ÐÌ3.€€òòGeneral€principlesóóÐ Ÿï ÐÌ250.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€general€principles€of€non„discrimination€(article€2€ofÐ qÁ Ðthe€Convention),€best€interests€of€the€child€(art.€3),€the€right€to€life,€survival€and€development€of€theÐ Zª Ðchild€(art.€6)€and€respect€for€the€views€of€the€child€(art.€12)€are€not€fully€reflected€in€the€State€partyððsÐ C“ Ðlegislation€and€administrative€and€judicial€decisions,€as€well€as€in€policies€and€programmes€relevantÐ ,| Ðto€children€at€federal,€provincial€and€local€levels€and€conflict„affected€areas.Ð e ÐÌ251.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð ç 7 ÐÌ(a)à  àIntegrate,€in€an€appropriate€manner,€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention,€namely€articlesÐ ¹" ! Ð2,€3,€6€and€12,€in€all€relevant€legislation€concerning€children;€Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ(b)à  àApply€them€in€all€political,€judicial€and€administrative€decisions,€as€well€as€in€programmes,Ð t%Ä $ Ðservices€and€reconstruction€activities€which€have€an€impact€on€all€children.Ð ]&­!% ÐÌòòNon„discriminationóóÐ /(#' ÐÌ252.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€societal€discrimination€persists€against€vulnerableÐ *Q%) Ðgroups€of€children,€including€children€with€disabilities,€adopted€children,€children€displaced€byÐ ê*:&* Ðconflict,€children€infected€with€and€affected€by€HIV/AIDS,€and€children€of€ethnic€and€religiousÐ Ó+#'+ Ðgroups.Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð253.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€amend€its€legislation€and€increase€its€effortsÐ ° Ðto€ensure€the€implementation€of€existing€laws€guaranteeing€the€principle€of€non-discrimination€andÐ ™é Ðfull€compliance€with€article€2€of€the€Convention,€and€to€adopt€a€proactive€and€comprehensiveÐ ‚Ò Ðstrategy€to€eliminate€discrimination€on€any€grounds€and€against€all€vulnerable€groups.Ð k» ÐÌ254.à  àThe€Committee€requests€that€specific€information€be€included€in€the€next€periodic€report€onÐ =  Ðthe€measures€and€programmes€relevant€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€undertaken€byÐ & v Ðthe€State€party€to€follow€up€on€the€Declaration€and€Programme€of€Action€adopted€at€the€2001€WorldÐ  _ ÐConference€against€Racism,€Racial€Discrimination,€Xenophobia€and€Related€Intolerance,€and€takingÐ ø H Ðaccount€of€general€comment€No.€1€on€article€29€(1)€of€the€Convention€(aims€of€education).Ð á 1  ÐÌ4.€€òòCivil€rights€and€freedomsóóÐ ³  ÐÌòòCorporal€punishmentóóÐ …Õ  ÐÌ255.à  àThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€male€child€offenders€can€be€sentenced€to€whippingÐ W§  Ðor€caning€under€the€Corporal€Punishment€Ordinance€of€1889,€and€that€the€Education€Ordinance€ofÐ @ Ð1939€permits€corporal€punishment€to€be€used€as€a€disciplinary€measure€for€boys€and€girls€in€schoolsÐ )y Ðand€that€many€teachers€and€principals€consider€corporal€punishment€to€be€an€acceptable€form€ofÐ b Ðdiscipline.Ð ûK ÐÌ256.à  àThe€Committee€reiterates€its€previous€recommendation€that€the€State€party€repeal€theÐ Í ÐCorporal€Punishment€Ordinance€of€1889€and€amend€the€Education€Ordinance€of€1939€to€prohibitÐ ¶ Ðall€forms€of€corporal€punishment.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ Ÿï Ðundertake€well„targeted€public€awareness€campaigns€on€the€negative€impact€corporal€punishmentÐ ˆØ Ðhas€on€children,€and€provide€teacher€training€on€non„violent€forms€of€discipline€as€an€alternative€toÐ qÁ Ðcorporal€punishment.Ð Zª ÐÌ5.€€òòFamily€environment€and€alternative€careóóÐ ,| ÐÌ257.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€new€programme€for€children€of€migrant€workers€undertaken€by€theÐ þN ÐBureau€of€Foreign€Employment,€yet€it€is€concerned€that€families€of€migrant€workers€receive€littleÐ ç 7 Ðor€no€assistance€with€their€child-rearing€responsibilities€while€they€are€working€abroad.Ð Ð!   ÐÌ258.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€develop€a€comprehensive€policy€to€supportÐ ¢#ò" Ðthe€families€and€caregivers€of€children€of€migrant€workers€in€their€child-rearing€responsibilities€andÐ ‹$Û# Ðlimit€the€Ô_ÔinstitutionalizationÔ_Ô€of€children€of€migrant€workers€to€measures€of€last€resort,€whileÐ t%Ä $ Ðpromoting€the€placement€of€all€children€in€need€of€alternative€care€with€their€extended€families€orÐ ]&­!% Ðother€family€types€of€care€whenever€possible.Ð F'–"& ÐÌòòAlternative€careóóÐ )h$( ÐÌ259.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€increasing€emphasis€on€foster€placements,€yet€it€remainsÐ ê*:&* Ðconcerned€that€there€is€no€monitoring€mechanism€for€either€registered€or€unregistered€institutionsÐ Ó+#'+ Ðor€voluntary€homes.Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð260.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€proceed€with€its€intention€to€amend€theÐ ° ÐOrphanages€Ordinance€No.€22€of€1941€to€criminalize€running€an€orphanage€without€a€licence,€andÐ ™é Ðestablish€a€uniform€set€of€standards€for€public€and€private€institutions€and€voluntary€homes€andÐ ‚Ò Ðmonitor€them€regularly.Ð k» ÐÌòòAbuse€and€neglectóóÐ =  ÐÌ261.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€the€Domestic€Violence€Act€is€under€consideration,€but€isÐ  _ Ðconcerned€that,€although€there€are€limited€data€available,€the€problem€of€abuse€within€the€family€andÐ ø H Ðin€institutions€appears€widespread.€€The€Committee€is€further€concerned€that€victims€of€abuse€do€notÐ á 1  Ðreceive€adequate€assistance€and€support€for€their€recovery,€and€that€the€practice€of€institutionalizingÐ Ê   Ðvictims€while€their€case€is€being€processed€is€common.Ð ³  ЀÌ262.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:€Ð …Õ  ÐÌ(a)à  àExpand€current€efforts€to€address€the€problem€of€child€abuse,€including€through€the€adoptionÐ W§  Ðand€implementation€of€the€Domestic€Violence€Act,€and€ensure€that€there€is€an€effective€nationalÐ @ Ðsystem€for€receiving,€monitoring€and€investigating€complaints€and,€when€necessary,€prosecutingÐ )y Ðcases,€in€a€manner€which€is€child„sensitive€and€ensures€the€victimsðð€privacy;à x àÐ b ÐÌ(b)à  àEnsure€that€all€victims€of€violence€have€access€to€counselling€and€assistance€with€recoveryÐ ä4 Ðand€reintegration;Ð Í ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àProvide€adequate€protection€to€child€victims€of€abuse€in€their€homes,€whenever€possible,Ð Ÿï Ðthrough€restraining€and€removal€orders€against€the€alleged€perpetrator;€in€cases€where€the€removalÐ ˆØ Ðof€the€child€is€necessary,€preference€should€be€given€to€foster€care€or€similar€family„type€settingsÐ qÁ Ðand€Ô_ÔinstitutionalizationÔ_Ô€should€only€be€resorted€to€in€exceptional€cases.Ð Zª ÐÌ6.€€òòBasic€health€and€welfareóóÐ ,| ÐÌòòChildren€with€disabilitiesóóÐ þN ÐÌ263.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€a€significant€number€of€children€with€disabilities,€inÐ Ð!   Ðparticular€girls,€are€not€able€to€attend€school€and€that€not€all€special€schools€managed€by€Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô€areÐ ¹" ! Ðregistered€by€the€Ministry€of€Education,€and€they€are€concentrated€in€the€more€developed€andÐ ¢#ò" Ðurbanized€Western€Province.Ð ‹$Û# ÐÌ264.à  àIn€light€of€the€recommendations€of€the€Committeeððs€day€of€general€discussion€on€the€privateÐ ]&­!% Ðsector€as€service€provider€and€its€role€in€implementing€child€rights€in€2002€(see€CRC/C/121),€theÐ F'–"& ÐCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party:€Ð /(#' ÐÌ(a)à  àEnsure€that€all€children€with€disabilities,€particularly€girls,€have€access€to€education€byÐ *Q%) Ðincreasing€spending€and€expanding€special€education€programmes,€including€non„formal€specialÐ ê*:&* Ðeducation€in€rural€areas,€and€by€training€teachers€in€mainstream€education€about€special€needs;€Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ(b)à  àRegister€and€monitor€all€special€schools€run€by€non„State€actors;Ð ¥-õ(- ЇÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àTake€all€necessary€measures€to€integrate€children€with€disabilities€into€society€and€includeÐ ° Ðthem€in€cultural€and€leisure€activities.Ð ™é ÐÌòòBasic€health€and€health€servicesóóÐ k» ÐÌ265.à  àWhile€acknowledging€the€improvements€in€mortality€rates€and€immunization€coverage,€theÐ =  ÐCommittee€remains€concerned€at€the€high€levels€of€child€malnutrition,€the€significant€proportion€ofÐ & v Ðchildren€born€with€low€birth€weight,€the€prevalence€of€mosquito„borne€diseases,€including€malaria,Ð  _ Ðand€the€lack€of€access€to€safe€drinking€water€and€sanitation,€particularly€in€conflict„affected€areas.Ð ø H ÐÌ266.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð Ê   ÐÌ(a)à  àEnsure€universal€access€to€maternal€and€child€health„care€services€and€facilities€throughoutÐ œì  Ðthe€country€with€special€attention€to€conflict„affected€areas;Ð …Õ  ÐÌ(b)à  àPrioritize€the€provision€of€drinking€water€and€sanitation€services€in€reconstruction€activities;Ð W§  ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àStrengthen€ongoing€efforts€to€prevent€malnutrition,€malaria€and€other€mosquito„borneÐ )y Ðdiseases€and€continue€to€promote€exclusive€breastfeeding€for€the€first€sixmonths€of€an€infantððs€life,Ð b Ðand€extend€these€programmes€to€all€conflict„affected€areas;Ð ûK ÐÌ(d)à  àSeek€technical€assistance€from,€among€others,€UNICEF.Ð Í ÐÌòòAdolescent€healthóóÐ Ÿï ÐÌ267.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€establishment€of€Presidential€Task€Forces€to€deal€with€the€problemsÐ qÁ Ðof€suicide€and€alcohol,€drug€and€tobacco€use€by€adolescents,€and€the€subsequent€improvement€in€theÐ Zª Ðrate€of€youth€suicide.€€Nevertheless,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€these€issues€remain€a€problemÐ C“ Ðfor€adolescents€and€that€an€organized€system€of€reproductive€health€counselling€and€services€forÐ ,| Ðyouth,€as€well€as€education€on€HIV/AIDS€and€STDs,€does€not€yet€exist.€Ð e ÐÌ268.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€strengthen€its€efforts€to€addressÐ ç 7 Ðyouth€suicide,€drug€abuse,€alcoholism€and€tobacco€use€and€develop€a€comprehensive€policy€onÐ Ð!   Ðadolescent€health€which,€inter€alia,€supports€the€implementation€of€the€recommendations€of€theÐ ¹" ! ÐPresidential€Task€Forces,€promotes€collaboration€between€State€agencies€and€Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô€in€order€toÐ ¢#ò" Ðestablish€a€system€of€formal€and€informal€education€on€HIV/AIDS€and€STDs,€and€ensures€accessÐ ‹$Û# Ðto€reproductive€health€counselling€and€services€for€all€adolescents.€€The€State€party€should€make€useÐ t%Ä $ Ðof€the€International€Guidelines€on€HIV/AIDS€and€Human€Rights€(E/CN.4/1997/37)€and€theÐ ]&­!% ÐCommitteeððs€general€comment€No.€3€on€HIV/AIDS€and€the€rights€of€the€child,€in€order€to€promoteÐ F'–"& Ðand€protect€the€rights€of€children€infected€with€and€affected€by€HIV/AIDS.Ð /(#' ÐÌ7.€€òòEducation,€leisure€and€cultural€activitiesóóÐ *Q%) ÐÌ269.à  àThe€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€education€reforms€initiated€by€the€State€party€in1999,Ð Ó+#'+ Ðwhich€focus€on€improving€the€quality€of€education€and€also€emphasize€early€childhood€development.€Ð ¼, (, ÐAt€the€same€time,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€all€principals,€teachers€and€parents,€particularlyÐ ¥-õ(- Ðin€rural€areas,€are€not€fully€aware€of€the€objective€of€these€reforms,€that€their€implementation€is€notÐ ° Ðuniform€across€all€regions€and€that€there€is€no€mechanism€for€monitoring€and€evaluating€theirÐ ™é Ðimplementation.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ270.à  àIn€light€of€articles€28,€29€and€31€of€the€Convention,€as€well€as€general€comment€No.€1€on€theÐ T¤ Ðaims€of€education,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð =  ÐÌ(a)à  àEnsure€that€primary€education€is€in€fact€free€and€compulsory€for€all€children;Ð  _ ÐÌ(b)à  àProvide€additional€information€on€the€reforms€and€adequate€material€resources€for€theirÐ á 1  Ðimplementation€to€principals,€teachers€and€parents€in€rural€and€conflict„affected€areas;Ð Ê   ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àEstablish€a€participatory€mechanism€for€monitoring€and€evaluating€the€implementation€ofÐ œì  Ðthe€education€reforms€which€involves€principals,€teachers,€parents€and€students;Ð …Õ  ÐÌ(d)à  àEnsure€that€there€is€a€sufficient€number€of€trained€teachers€in€rural€and€conflict„affectedÐ W§  Ðareas;Ð @ ÐÌ(e)à  àInclude€human€rights€education€as€part€of€the€curriculum.Ð b ÐÌ8.€€òòSpecial€protection€measuresóóÐ ä4 ÐÌòòChildren€affected€by€armed€conflictóóÐ ¶ ÐÌ271.à  àAlmost€20€years€of€civil€conflict€has€had€an€extremely€negative€impact€on€theÐ ˆØ Ðimplementation€of€the€Convention€in€the€State€party.€€While€recognizing€that€children€will€greatlyÐ qÁ Ðbenefit€from€the€peace€process,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€during€the€transition€to€peace€andÐ Zª Ðthe€reconstruction€process,€children€who€have€been€affected€by€the€conflict€remain€a€particularlyÐ C“ Ðvulnerable€group.Ð ,| ÐÌ272.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€implement€the€plan€of€action€for€the€respectÐ þN Ðof€the€rights€of€children€during€the€reconstruction€process€(2003).€€In€particular,€the€CommitteeÐ ç 7 Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party:Ð Ð!   ÐÌ(a)à  àPrioritize€the€demobilization€and€reintegration€of€all€combatants€under€18€and€ensure€thatÐ ¢#ò" Ðall€armed€groups€reintegrated€into€the€national€armed€forces€adhere€to€the€minimum€age€ofÐ ‹$Û# Ðrecruitment€of€18€years;€Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌ(b)à  àDevelop,€in€collaboration€with€Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô€and€international€organizations,€a€comprehensiveÐ F'–"& Ðsystem€of€Ô_ÔpsychosocialÔ_Ô€support€and€assistance€for€children€affected€by€the€conflict,€in€particularÐ /(#' Ðchild€combatants,€unaccompanied€internally€displaced€persons€and€refugees,€returnees€and€landmineÐ )h$( Ðsurvivors,€which€also€ensures€their€privacy;Ð *Q%) ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àTake€effective€measures€to€ensure€that€children€affected€by€conflict€can€be€reintegrated€intoÐ Ó+#'+ Ðthe€education€system,€including€through€the€provision€of€non„formal€education€programmes€and€byÐ ¼, (, Ðprioritizing€the€rehabilitation€of€school€buildings€and€facilities€and€the€provision€of€water,€sanitationÐ ¥-õ(- Ðand€electricity€in€conflict„affected€areas;Ð ° ÐÌ(d)à  àSeek€in€this€regard€technical€assistance€from,€among€others,€UNICEF.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ273.à  àThe€Committee€reiterates€its€request€to€the€State€party€for€additional€information€on€childÐ T¤ Ðcombatants€and€child€prisoners€of€war,€to€be€included€in€its€initial€report€under€the€Optional€ProtocolÐ =  Ðto€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€involvement€of€children€in€armed€conflict.Ð & v ÐÌòòSexual€exploitationóóÐ ø H ÐÌ274.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€Penal€Code€(Amendment)€Act€No.€22€of€1995,€which€seeksÐ Ê   Ðto€protect€children€from€sexual€exploitation.€€However,€it€is€concerned€that€existing€legislation€is€notÐ ³  Ðeffectively€enforced€and€that€child€victims€of€sexual€exploitation€do€not€always€receive€adequateÐ œì  Ðrecovery€assistance.Ð …Õ  ÐÌ275.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð W§  ÐÌ(a)à  àDevelop€a€National€Plan€of€Action€on€Commercial€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Children,€asÐ )y Ðagreed€at€the€first€and€second€World€Congresses€against€Commercial€Sexual€Exploitation€ofÐ b ÐChildren,€held€in€1996€and€2001;Ð ûK ÐÌ(b)à  àTrain€law€enforcement€officials,€social€workers€and€prosecutors€on€how€to€receive,€monitor,Ð Í Ðinvestigate€and€prosecute€complaints€in€a€child„sensitive€manner€that€respects€the€privacy€of€theÐ ¶ Ðvictim;Ð Ÿï ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àPrioritize€recovery€assistance€and€ensure€that€education€and€training€as€well€as€Ô_ÔpsychosocialÔ_ÔÐ qÁ Ðassistance€and€counselling€are€provided€to€victims,€and€ensure€that€victims€who€cannot€return€to€theirÐ Zª Ðfamilies€are€not€institutionalized;Ð C“ ÐÌ(d)à  àSeek€technical€assistance€from,€among€others,€UNICEF.Ð e ÐÌòòEconomic€exploitationóóÐ ç 7 ÐÌ276.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€State€partyððs€ratification€of€ILO€Conventions€Nos.€138€and182Ð ¹" ! Ðin€2000€and€2001,€respectively.€€Nevertheless,€it€remains€concerned€at€the€high€proportion€ofÐ ¢#ò" Ðchildren,€including€very€young€ones,€working€as€domestic€servants,€in€the€plantation€sector,€on€theÐ ‹$Û# Ðstreet€and€in€other€parts€of€the€informal€sector.Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌ277.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€its€efforts€to€eliminate€child€labour,Ð F'–"& Ðin€particular€by€addressing€the€root€causes€of€child€economic€exploitation€through€povertyÐ /(#' Ðeradication€and€access€to€education,€as€well€as€by€developing€a€comprehensive€child€labourÐ )h$( Ðmonitoring€system€in€collaboration€with€Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô,€community-based€organizations,€law€enforcementÐ *Q%) Ðpersonnel,€labour€inspectors€and€ILO/Ô_ÔIPECÔ_Ô.€Ð ê*:&* ÐÌÌÐ ¥-õ(- ÐòòJuvenile€justiceóóÐ ° ÐÌ278.à  àThe€Committee€reiterates€its€serious€concern€that€the€minimum€age€of€criminal€responsibility,Ð ‚Ò Ðset€at€8€years,€is€too€low€and€that€children€between€the€ages€of€16€and€18€are€considered€by€penal€lawÐ k» Ðas€adults.Ð T¤ ÐÌ279.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Ð & v ÐÌ(a)à  àEnsure€the€full€implementation€of€juvenile€justice€standards€and€in€particular€articles€37,€39Ð ø H Ðand€40€of€the€Convention,€as€well€as€the€United€Nations€Standard€Minimum€Rules€for€theÐ á 1  ÐAdministration€of€Juvenile€Justice€(the€Beijing€Rules)€and€the€United€Nations€Guidelines€for€theÐ Ê   ÐPrevention€of€Juvenile€Delinquency€(the€RiyadhGuidelines),€and€in€the€light€of€the€CommitteeððsÐ ³  Ð1995€day€of€general€discussion€on€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice€(CRC/C/46,€chap.€III,€sect.Ð œì  ÐC);Ð …Õ  ÐÌ(b)à  àAmend€the€Children€and€Young€Personððs€Ordinance€(1939)€to€raise€the€minimum€age€ofÐ W§  Ðcriminal€responsibility€to€an€internationally€acceptable€level€and€to€ensure€that€all€offenders€underÐ @ Ð18€are€treated€as€children;Ð )y ÐÌÔ_Ô(cÔ_Ô)à  àSet€up€a€system€of€juvenile€courts€across€the€country;Ð ûK ÐÌ(d)à  àEnsure€that€deprivation€of€liberty€is€used€only€as€a€last€resort€and€for€the€shortest€appropriateÐ Í Ðtime€period;à ` àà ¸ àÐ ¶ ÐÌ(e)à  àTake€effective€measures,€including,€where€appropriate,€the€enactment€of€legislation,€toÐ ˆØ Ðimplement€the€recommendations€of€the€Law€Commission€on€the€juvenile€justice€system,€in€particularÐ qÁ Ðthose€regarding€access€to€legal€assistance,€training€of€professionals€working€with€children,€separationÐ Zª Ðof€children€in€conflict€with€the€law€from€adults€at€all€stages€of€the€legal€process€and€developmentÐ C“ Ðof€alternative€non„custodial€methods€of€rehabilitation.Ð ,| ÐÐ e Ð9.€€ñzñòòñzñOptional€Protocols€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€and€amendment€to€article€43€(2)Ð þN Ðof€the€ConventionñzñóóñzñÐ ç 7 ÐÌ280.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€signed€but€not€ratified€the€Optional€ProtocolÐ ¹" ! Ðto€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€and€childÐ ¢#ò" Ðpornography.Ð ‹$Û# Ðñ{ñÌñ{ñ281.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ratify€the€Optional€Protocol€to€theÐ ]&­!% ÐConvention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€and€childÐ F'–"& Ðpornography.Ð /(#' Ðñ|ñò òñ|ññ}ñÌñ}ñ10.€€ññòòññDissemination€of€documentsñ|ñó óñ|ñññóóññÐ *Q%) Ðñ~ñÌñ~ñ282.à  àFinally,€in€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommendsÐ Ó+#'+ Ðthat€the€second€periodic€report€and€written€replies€submitted€by€the€State€party€be€made€widelyÐ ¼, (, Ðavailable€to€the€public€at€large€and€that€the€publication€of€the€report€be€considered,€along€with€theÐ ¥-õ(- Ðrelevant€summary€records€and€concluding€observations€adopted€by€the€Committee.€€Such€aÐ ° Ðdocument€should€be€widely€distributed€in€order€to€generate€debate€and€awareness€of€the€ConventionÐ ™é Ðand€its€implementation€and€monitoring€within€the€Government,€the€Parliament€and€the€generalÐ ‚Ò Ðpublic,€including€concerned€Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô.Ð k» Ðñ€ñò òñ€ñññÌññ11.€€ñƒñòòñƒñNext€reportñ€ñó óñ€ññƒñóóñƒñÐ =  Ðñ‚ñÌñ‚ñ283.à  àThe€Committee,€aware€of€the€delay€in€the€State€partyððs€reporting,€wishes€to€underline€theÐ  _ Ðimportance€of€a€reporting€practice€which€is€in€full€compliance€with€the€rules€set€out€in€article€44€ofÐ ø H Ðthe€Convention.€€Children€have€the€right€for€the€committee€in€charge€of€regularly€examining€theÐ á 1  Ðprogress€made€in€the€implementation€of€their€rights€to€have€the€opportunity€to€do€so.€€In€this€regard,Ð Ê   Ðregular€and€timely€reporting€by€States€parties€is€crucial.€€As€an€exceptional€measure,€in€order€to€helpÐ ³  Ðthe€State€party€catch€up€with€its€reporting€obligations€so€as€to€be€in€full€compliance€with€theÐ œì  ÐConvention,€the€Committee€invites€the€State€party€to€submit€its€third€and€fourth€periodic€reports€inÐ …Õ  Ðone€consolidated€report€by10€August€2008,€date€on€which€the€fourth€report€is€due.€€The€consolidatedÐ n¾  Ðreport€should€not€exceed€120€pages€(see€CRC/C/118).€€The€Committee€expects€the€State€party€toÐ W§  Ðreport€thereafter€every€five€years,€as€foreseen€by€the€Convention.Ð @ ÐÓSÓ